Tag: calm

Are you ready to feel good from head to toe?

What brings a smile to your face? Does your heart feel full with the beauty of Nature? Do you enjoy hearing the melodies of birds that sing? Do you indulge in the sweet smells of budding flowers?

When I hear the word green I think about life, a fresh new start, healing, and nature. Spring is the season of resurrection, the period of renewed hope and quickened senses. Spring gives a man a new sense of life. When the spring comes, life in its tenderest, loveliest, and most delicate forms springs out of the cold and frozen earth. God speaks to us through the our physical senses. Spring delights the heart, gratifies the eyes, charms the ears, and excites with its smells. When “Spring has Sprung” it is the perfect time to create new beginnings in our being about how we might keep an eternal spring in our step.

Just think what goes into the creation of green: green being created with the combination of yellow and blue.Yellow is happy, warm, cheerful, friendly, and energetic while we find the mental clarity and optimism with the emotional calm of blue. Yellow’swarming and blue’s cooling effects work together to bring this positive energy. Green represents life and abundance, growth, hope, harmony and fertility. (Please visit my yellow and blue articles to learn more about these two colors.)

The color green also brings balance, contentment, and stability. Wow! Think of it. This brings a fantastic balance to our bodies which our bodies aim for. Green is Spring! Spring brings a fresh new start and a renewing and a restoring of our depleted energy at Winter’s end. When you think of Spring, doesn’t it bring excitement and positive emotions? Green is a natural, serene peacemaker.

Green foods do the same things on a physiological level. Did you know that hyperactive children can benefit from its calming effects, which is sleep-inducing? Isn’t it wonderful how a color can soothe, relax, brings peace, comfort, and rest by nurturing, calmness and harmony both mentally and physically.

The Healing properties of Green and what they offer.

Green foods are the most vital food of all we eat. Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colors. Blue comes in second. It’s a good thing because of how it benefits our lives. It brings to all areas and functions of the body a wide spectrum of great internal healing power. Healing with green colored foods is simply using the plants chemical energy. The green color has its own unique chemistry that is very helpful for our entire body’s use. Greenplants contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that help fight disease. These foods are supportive and cleansing and healing. They help to reverse the activity of cells in chaos. Every moment of every day your body regenerates. It changes your atoms and cells and tissues. It is very important to remember that green foods heal and keep your body balanced. Green foods produce healthy cells. Green is full of life.

WHAT IS THE GREEN PIGMENT?

Two different types of chlorophyll (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b). It gets its name from the Greek words “chloros” and “phyllon”, which together means “green leaf.” It is liquid “sunshine”.

Chlorophyllis (a), a green pigment found in the leaves of plants, gives foods their green hue. Chlorophyll is good for you because it similar to that of heme in hemoglobin-the oxygen-carrying pigment in your red blood cells. First scientifically identified in the 1850’s, both chlorophyll and the blood are produced through the same metabolic pathway. The central atom-basic unit of energy in chlorophyll is magnesium instead of iron. Chlorophyll is fat-soluble and insoluble in water so you need a fat for it to assimilate and work at its best. So every green smoothie, every salad should have a fatty food like nuts, seeds, or avocados.

Chlorophyllin(b) can neutralize oxidative damage induced by chemical carcinogens and radiation. After treatment with Chlorophyllin, colon cancer cells are held back. Chlorophyllin may block the amount absorbed during digestion and help lower your risk of developing cancer. It has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to reduce the odors of urine and fecal matter intended to improve the quality of life in people who have fecal incontinence due to spinal cord injury, bowel cancer, psychotic disorder, terminal illness, or other disorders. Chlorophyllin has been used orally as an internal deodorant and topically in the treatment of slow-healing wounds for more than 50 years without any serious side effects.

Green is the most restful color for the human eye; and believe or not, it can improve vision because of the hidden lutein (yellow). So, if you want to improve your eye site, green is one big way to go. The yellow color of the human macula lutea (literally, yellow spot) in the retina of the eye results from the hidden lutein and zeaxanthin it contains.

Green leaves withdraw toxins from the cells and help to purify the blood by keeping free-radicals away and blood purifier from germs, bacteria and rotting material. This leads to detoxifying the skin. Clean blood does amazing things!

These leafy green vegetables are particularly rich in vitamins B, C and K as well as iron a great blood builder. Iron also carries much needed Oxygen from our red blood cells to our tissues and muscles. The darker the leaf, the greater the nutritional value.

The healing properties of green are diverse. Green affects blood pressure and all conditions of the heart. It has both an energizingeffect and a moderating or soothing effect, stimulate the circulatory system (Arugula), which includes the heart and its flow through the arms hands, legs, and feet. The antioxidant beta-carotene and the vitamins C and K help neutralize toxins and remove them from the body. Arugula strengthen the liver.

Many green foods are rich in isothiocyanates (pronounced eys-so-thigh-o-sigh-an-ate), a sulphur-containing phytochemical (plant chemical), induce enzymes in the liver that assist the body in removing potentially carcinogenic compounds by inhibit cancerous cell division and brings about cancerous cell death and stop them dead in their tracks in three different ways: a) They don’t allow carcinogens to be activated by neutralizing them; b) they counteract the poisonous effects of carcinogens that have been activated by reducing their effect; and c) they speed up their removal from the body. Carcinogens are the bad guys ofthe cancer battle. Many of these foods are bitter. If you are a “supertaster” and tend to dislike bitter foods because their tastebuds are more sensitive to them, try to find ways make them more appetizing to you and add power to your plate.

Spinach: Spinach is considered to be a magic cocktail of all the greens.
Being a rich source of magnesium it helps to lower stress level by keeping a person in a calm state.

Broccoli: One of the good mood foods is broccoli which has stress-relieving vitamin B6. It also contains folic acid which is important in fighting depression.

Green teacontains L-theanine-a protein, relaxes the brain, thereby reducing stress and anxiety with tranquilizing effects. stimulate the alpha-brain waves and the beta-brain waves are associated with reduction of tension. It also contains an active component, epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) which has been associated with reduced physical and mental fatigue.

Green foods rich in Vitamin K help by alkalizing the blood through the production of a hormone that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. This cures hormonal imbalances, stimulates growth hormone and brings rejuvenation.

Strengthens the nervous system.

As a good side-effect, eliminating the toxic substances of environmental contaminants and ingested pollutants, like heavy metals, radioactive isotopes and pesticides, can help to uplift one’s mood, alleviate depression and promote increased mental focus and clarity.

Naturally, green foods are associated with any kind of cleansing diet.

WOW! I like that don’t you?

Bottom Line:Chlorophyll is a phytonutrient that oxygenates & detoxifies the blood. It is rich in enzymes and high in amino acids. It alkalizes the body (more on pH here), is anti-inflammatory and is an antioxidant. It has been shown to repair damaged DNA and speed up the healing process of wounds. Heavy metal chelation is another function of dietary chlorophyll as is the reduction of bad breath. It helps eliminate the odors of the mouth and throat, but more importantly of the digestive tract where bad breath originates.

Not all chlorophyll-containing foods are vegetables, of course. You can find visibly green foods in the nuts and seeds group (for example, pistachio nuts) and also in the fruits group (for example, green grapes or kiwifruit.)

For highest chlorophyll content from the foods you consume, it is best not to prepare them with high heat, but eat them raw or use low-temp steam settings to preserve nutritional quality.

I hope this information brought with it a little courage and a little curiosity to try adding more greens to your day. What are your thoughts about the color green? What is your favorite green vegetable, fruit, or herb? What ways have you discovered to get greens onto your plate for daily consumption?

Putting it all together:Green is the great harmonizer and balancer. Allow yourself the pleasure of green consumption on a regular basis, you will be more balanced and relaxed.

Spiritual Insight: With green that ushers in the new life, I cannot end this writing without remembering what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Receiving Christ into your life puts a whole different level of peace, comfort, and rest that nurtures and calms the inner soul. Nothing else compares to the depth of harmony that Christ Jesus bring to us spiritually, which effects us mentally and physically as well. Psalm 23:2-3 perfectly describes a view we all long for and what can happen when you make Him Lord of your life.“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul:” It is my prayer you have found and have embraced this truest form of life for yourself.

The Color Psychology of Blue

Although it is often overlooked and often unappreciated, colors play a very big part in our life. God has truly blessed us with color and for good reason. Before I deal with how the color blue benefits us physically, I would like to touch on how the color blue effects behavior.

Blue conveys a subtle connotation of importance and confidence and is associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism.

Blue is one of the most popular colors with both male and female alike, but it is one of the least appetizing colors. We aren’t generally attracted to blue foods. Some weight loss plans even recommend eating your food off of a blue plate because interestingly some believe blue suppresses one’s appetite. Blue rarely occurs naturally in food aside from blueberries and some plums. If you are trying to lose some weight, and try the blue plate method and it works, let me know. Another way is to just use a smaller plate.

Physiological & Physical Benefits:

Blue can also lower the pulse rate and body temperature. As a collective color, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that sooth and calm the senses. Peacefulness and tranquility are qualities of blue that causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms.

Blue tends to regulate your cortisol and adrenoline levels that activate fight and flight response and may help you recover from stress more quickly. Each individual has his/her own level of stress tolerance. When stress acts as a positive motivating force it is termed eustress. When it acts as a negative force it is termed distress. Stress only becomes a problem when it is chronic or severe. Stress plays a very crucial role in a multitude of negative human health behaviors. Chronic stress tends to erode coping mechanisms.

The blue/purple hues in foods are due primarily to their anthocyanin content. The darker the blue hue, the higher the phytochemical concentration. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that are particularly heart healthy and may help support healthy blood pressure. Anthocyanins that give fruits their distinctive colors that may help ward off heart disease by preventing clot formation. They may also help lower risk of cancer.

Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.

Blue promotes the healing of burns and wounds.

What is the Blue color?

Anthocyanins (also anthocyans; from Greek: ἀνθός (anthos) = flower + κυανός (kyanos) = blue) are water-soluble vacuolar pigments that may appear red, purple, or blue depending on the pH. Their purpose is to isolating materials that might be harmful or a threat to the cell by participating in the destruction of invading bacteria. Vacuole are essentially enclosed compartments within a cell that are filled with water containing inorganic and organic molecules including enzymes in solution, though in certain cases they may contain solids which have been engulfed. Anthocyanins play a role in the colors of ripening fruit.

Anthocyanins have been shown to act as a “sunscreen”, protecting cells from high-light damage by absorbing blue-green and ultraviolet light, thereby protecting the tissues from high-light stress. They are found mostly in flowers and fruits but also in leaves, stems, and roots.

Antioxidants protect cells from damage and have important disease-fighting compounds. Antioxidants are actually powerful buffers to the unwanted various chemical reactions that occur in the human body. Scientists believe they help prevent and repair the stress that comes from oxidation, a natural process that occurs during normal cell function. They may help reduce risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease.

On the Antioxidant Color Wheel, the purple-blue-red-orange spectrum is home to the most antioxidant-rich fruits. Wild blueberries are the winner overall. Just one cup has 13,427 total antioxidants – vitamins A & C, plus flavonoids (types of antioxidants) like quercetin – a flavonoid (plant pigment) – and anthocyanidin.

Quercetin Supports:

Normal Respiratory Health – When your respiratory system is irritated, redness and swelling can result from the release of histamines, and quercetin has been reported to have an antihistamine effect. Lab tests have shown quercetin influences intracellular enzymes and may help inhibit histamine release.

Protection Against Stress – when your stress levels are high and ongoing, cortisol can damage muscle tissue, leading to protein breakdown in the body, quercetin can fight these effects during times of extended stress as it suppresses the enzyme necessary for cortisol release.

Upper Respiratory Conditions – quercetin caused a relaxation of the airway smooth muscle, leading researchers to suggest it may offer therapeutic solutions for persons suffering from upper respiratory conditions.

Resveratrol – is a polyphenolic/antioxidant compound is primarily found in the skin of grapes. It directly up-regulates the tissue that forms a single layer of cells lining various organs and cavities of the body, esp. the blood vessels, heart, and lymphatic vessels in original cells.

This nutrient relaxes blood vessels that increase the diameter of blood vessels and also dilutes the blood. This helps increases the blood flow through blood vessels smoothly towards the heart. There is extensive epidemiological evidence suggesting that dietary intake of these compounds reduces cardiovascular mortality. Studies show inhibition of platelet aggregation. High Resveratrol provides grapes anti-cancer property. This powerful antioxidant plays a protective role against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease (CHD), degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer’s disease and viral/ fungal infections. It contains anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin compounds that inhibit the growth of cancer cell.

It offers protection against disease, especially fungal infections. Research shows that resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. In recent studies, scientists found that resveratrol may stimulate the expression of adiponectin (a hormone shown to possess anti-obesity properties and fight insulin resistance.). Obesity, too, makes you prone to inflammation, as fat cells churn out inflammatory proteins called cytokines “cyto” meaning cell and “kinos” meaning movement, are (proteins with a sugar attached) that alter the immune system response.

Suppresses cancerous cell’s power of division and growth. One study shows resveratrol helped prevent estrogen from reacting with DNA molecules and forming compounds that mark the start of cancer cell formation for genetic influences.

Stimulates Mitochondria activity where biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occurs.

Resveratrol reduces stroke risk by altering the molecular mechanisms inside the blood vessels. It does so, firstly by reducing the susceptibility of blood vessel through decreased activity of angiotensin (a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would otherwise elevate blood pressure) and secondly, through a beneficial compound that causes relaxation of blood vessels)

Helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Loss of cognition as we age is not normal. Our brain is highly susceptible to the damaging effects of inflammation, free radicals and insulin resistance.

Putting it all together: Although Blue is not a bright cheery color, the color blue has positive effects on the mind and the body. Blue can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming and offer a tranquility of the spirit and encourages rest.

On a spiritual note:We have talked about how blue provides us with a calming and restful presence that soothes and can cause the body to be at peace. The creator of blue knew what He was doing for our physical need. John 14:27 (KJV) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The only way to find true peace is through Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace.

My prayer for you is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

Genesis 1:29 (KJV)
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.